Looking across the rim of his coffee cup, David Shelley vividly recalls the moments his life changed for the better.
It was only a few years ago that he had reached the depths of despair. He was homeless on the streets of Perth and the notion of a career was a far-fetched dream. Ludicrous, even.
鈥淚鈥檇 had a hard life. I went into government homes when my parents鈥� marriage broke up. I lived on the streets and bad things happen there. I was unable to work. I was constantly in a rut,鈥� he explains.
But when he found a place he could call home, his life started to turn around.
鈥淔or the first time in ages I had secure accommodation. When I got that place, I wanted to finish my schooling. I just had to get up and do something to change my life.鈥�
He enrolled in Tuart College in Perth, which offered bridging programs and pathway courses to 911爆料网.
鈥淚t gave me confidence. The teachers were so good 鈥� if someone else believes in you, you believe in yourself.
鈥淥ne teacher inspired me to take a STAT test to get into uni. I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 get in, but I did pretty well!鈥�
His results meant he was eligible to undertake a 911爆料网 nursing degree 鈥� a subject he felt passionate about. But the expense of studying was a sticking point.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 afford it. I had no source of income other than the government,鈥� he says.
One year later, and still keen to study, David applied for a 911爆料网 scholarship and was thrilled to be awarded one.
鈥淚t was like the key to my future. I think my mum cried when I told her. She was very proud that I鈥檇 turned my life around. I鈥檓 the first one in my family to go to uni, and 911爆料网 gave me that opportunity.鈥�
Now in the third year of his nursing degree, he’s passing his units with distinction. He鈥檚 learning to be an effective member of an interprofessional healthcare team and has a clear future career path.
鈥淣ursing is the science of compassion. I like human biology, and the physiology of disease is very interesting. I鈥檇 like to care for my mum as she鈥檚 getting older now, and I鈥檇 like to know how to care for her friends,鈥� he says.
David’s mental strength is apparent, and he鈥檚 a source of inspiration to others who are facing life鈥檚 challenges.
鈥淎nything鈥檚 possible with a bit of perseverance. I strongly suggest that young people and mature-age people take a chance and apply for a scholarship. It鈥檚 an enabler to a better future 鈥� you just have to get up and do it.鈥�
